Method of constructing and recording list of recorded data in postscript type optical disk

ABSTRACT

In constructing a list of recorded data recorded onto a disk (4), a point of starting the recording of finally recorded data is found from time record data of the final record, and the preceding data area is sought to find a point of starting the recording of the data. The seeking operation is repeated to construct the list within short periods of time on a time table under a system controller (1). The list thus prepared is then recorded onto a list-recording area of the disk (4).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method of constructing a list of recordeddata in a postscript type optical disk using an optical recording mediumand, more particularly, to a method of constructing and recording a listof recorded data in a non-erasable postscript type optical disk withinshort periods of time.

In a usual optical disk, on which a train of signals are recordedbetween its inner and outer peripheries by utilizing a laser beam, alist of recorded data is recorded onto the disk. This list of recordeddata is called TOC (table of contents), and it provides informationabout positions of recorded data in the signal train. The position ofintended data can be accessed at high speed with reference to the listnoted above at the time of the data accessing.

The position of recorded data may be expressed using addresses of framenumbers or the like for each track as in a video disk player where adisk driven at a constant angular velocity (C.A.V.) to reproduce datawith an optical pick-up, or it may be expressed using the overallrecording time from a point of starting the recording. In the case of adisk (hereinafter referred to it as CD) with digital audio signalsrecorded thereon, which is called as compact disk known as an example ofthe latter and driven at a constant linear velocity (C.L.V.) toreproduce data with an optical pick-up, the overall recording time isused as the record position information, and the time point of start ofeach musical piece, the number of first musical piece, the number of thelast musical piece and the last time point of recording are recordedonto list areas on the disk. In an optical disk capable of recording,the status of record of data presently recorded onto the disk, isusually recorded onto a list area, and this list is used for randomaccessing to data.

When it is intended to record a list onto a non-erasable postscript typeoptical disk with the same format as for the CD noted above, there is aninconvenience in case the length of recorded data, number of datapieces, etc. are not known until the end of recording of the last data.In this case, the list can not be recorded onto the disk unless all thedata have been recorded. In practice, however, it is necessary to accessdata already recorded onto the disk at high speed even before the end ofrecording of all the data. Where no list is recorded onto the disk, thesame information as the list can be obtained through continuous readingof the data recorded onto the disk. However, the real-time reading ofthe recorded data from the point of start till the point of end of therecording requires long time.

In the postscript type optical disk, particularly the non-erasable disk,it is impossible to record a list onto the list area of the disk unlessall the data have been recorded. Therefore, it has been impossible toaccess the recorded data at high speed until the end of recording of allthe data.

The present invention has been intended in order to solve the aboveproblems in the prior art, and its object is to provide a method ofconstructing and recording a list of recorded data in a postscript typeoptical disk, particularly of non-erasable type, with which it ispossible to construct list information of recorded data under controlwithin short periods of time even though no list of recorded data isrecorded so that recorded data may be accessed at high speed.

The method of constructing a list according to the present inventionfeatures the steps of detecting a point of ending the recording ofrecorded data recorded onto a disk, reading time code data at said pointof ending the recording, obtaining a point of starting the recordingthrough substraction of the recording time of the last recorded datafrom the overall recording time according to said time code data, andstoring the obtained point of starting the recording in a time table ofthe pertinent data number, thereby obtaining a list of recorded data.

The method of recording a list according to the present inventionfeatures the steps of detecting a point of ending the recording ofrecorded data recorded onto a disk, reading time code data at said pointof ending the recording, obtaining a point of starting the recordingthrough subtraction of the recording time of the last recording datafrom the overall recording time according to said time code data,storing the obtained point of starting the recording in a time table ofthe pertinent data number, initializing a pointer representing a datanumber to be retrieved next with the data number of said last recordingdata, reading out the point of starting the recording of recorded dataof the data number represented by the pointer from said time table,storing a point for seeking a value with a predetermined off-set fromthe read-out point of starting the recording in a register, seeking thepoint of the value in said register by advancing said pointer, effectingcompensation for the seek point when the data number after the seekingfails to coincide with the pointer while obtaining the point of startingthe recording of the pertinent data and storing it in said time tablewhen the data number coincides with the pointer, and repeating theseeking operation to obtain the point of starting the recording of eachdata, thereby constructing a list of recorded data and recording it ontoa list area of the postscript type optical disk.

According to the present invention, the point of recording of the lastdata is detected, and the point of starting the recording of the lastrecorded data is obtained from the pertinent time code data. On thebasis of the data of the recording start point the preceding data areais sought to find the point of starting the recording of that data. Thisprocess is repeatedly done progressively. In this way, a list of allrecorded data recorded onto the disk is constructed at high speed undercontrol of a system controller. The list thus constructed is recordedonto a list area of the postscript type optical disk.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a disk recording/reproducing apparatusaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system controller of the diskrecording/reproducing apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a record format of data recorded onto a diskby the disk recording/reproducing apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a list construction procedure;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a time table in the system controller;

FIG. 6 is a view showing the form of a list recorded onto a disk;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an encoder in the diskrecording/reproducing apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a time chart for explaining an additional recording with thedisk recording/reproducing apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a time code generator in the diskrecording/reproducing apparatus; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the time codegenerator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Now, an embodiment of the method of constructing and recording a list ofrecorded data in a postscript type optical disk will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First the construction of a disk recording/reproducing apparatus and asystem controller thereof for realizing the method of constructing andrecording a list of recorded data according to the present inventionwill be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system controller 1 controls a spindle servocircuit 2, which in turn controls a spindle motor 3, whereby apostscript type optical disk 4 which is incapable of erasing is drivenfor rotation at a constant linear velocity. An optical pick-up 5 effectswriting and reading of data with respect to the disk 4, and it iscontrolled by a focus tracking servo circuit 6 such that a laser beam iscorrectly focused on the recording surface of the disk. The servocircuit 6 is under control of the system controller 1. The systemcontroller 1 may be a CPU "LH-0080" (a trade name by Sharp Co., Ltd.), aROM "MBM 27128-25" (a trade name by Fujitsu Co., Ltd.), a RAM "MSM5128-12RS" (a trade name by Oki Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd.) or an IPO"μPD71055C" (a trade name by Nippon Denki Co., Ltd.).

Input data to an input terminal 7 is fed through an input data interface8 to an encoder 9. The encoder 9 converts the input data into one in apredetermined recording format. It may consist of an IC "CXD-1005Q,CXD-1006Q" (a trade name by Sony Co., Ltd.). The encoder 9 receives areproduction sync signal supplied from a decoder 10 (consisting of IC"CX-7934, CX-7935" (trade names by Sony Co., Ltd.) and also receives acontrol signal supplied from the system controller 1. To the encoder 9is supplied through a switch 29 time code data which is recordedtogether with input data from a time code generator 11 under control ofthe system controller 1. Externally supplied time code data to aterminal 30 is selectively supplied through the switch 29 to the encoder9. The encoded output from the encoder 9 is supplied through a modulator12 to the optical pick-up 5. A laser beam is light intensity modulatedby the encoded output to obtain data recorded onto the disk 4.

When data recorded onto the disk 4 is reproduced, data which is read outby the optical pick-up 5 with the light intensity of the laser beamreduced compared to the value at the time of the recording, the read-outdata being supplied to a RF amplifier/modulator 13. The RFamplifier/modulator 13 may be those used for current compact diskplayers. For example, an IC "CX-20109" (a trade name by Sony Co., Ltd.)is used for RF amplification, and an IC "CX-20109" (a trade name by SonyCo., Ltd.) is used as a demodulator. Data having been amplified by theRF amplifier/modulator 13 and demodulated to a predetermined pulseseries (demodulated pulse series) is supplied to a RF detector 14, whichdetects the presence or absence of demodulation output) and alsosupplied to the decoder 10 under control of the system controller 1.

The decoder 10 processes the demodulated pulse series for separation ofthe sync signals and demodulation of data. The decoded output of thedecoder 10 is divided into the reproduced data and time code data to betaken out as output data through an output data interface 15 andterminals 16A and 16B. The time code data from the decoder 10 is fed tothe system controller 1.

Now, the construction of the system controller 1 will be explained withreference to FIG. 2. An encoder controller 17 supplies an on-off signal,i.e., synchronization permission signal to the encoder 9 and receives astatus signal or a timing signal from the encoder 9. Further, a servocontroller 18 suppplies a control signal to the servo circuits 2 and 6and receives status signals from the servo circuits 2 and 6. Further, atime code generator controller 19 supplies new time code setting data(i.e., present data or operation command signals) to the time codegenerator 11. A display controller 20 supplies a display control signalto a display unit 21, which displays the prevailing performance time orstatus of apparatus. The controllers 17 to 20 receive a series ofcontrol by a control operation processor 22.

Time code data in the reproduced output is supplied from the decoder 10to a time code reader 23. The output of the reader 23 is processed inthe control operation processor 22.

List information, which is produced in the processor 22 on the basis ofthe time code data noted above, is stored in a list information memory24. Also, the list information is read out for reference when it isnecessary.

To a terminal 26 is supplied a disk detection signal, which is obtainedfrom a disk detector (not shown) disposed on near a disk mountingposition, consisting of a photodiode and a photodetector andrepresenting the presence or absence of the disk 4 mounted in theapparatus. This disk detection signal is supplied to the processor 22.To the terminal 26 is also supplied a RF detection signal from the RFdetector 14. The RF detection signal represents the presence or absenceof a reproduced RF signal from the disk 4, and it is supplied to theprocessor 22. Further, when an operation switch (not shown) is operated,an operation input signal is supplied to a terminal 27 and hence throughan operation input interface 28 to the processor 22.

FIG. 3 shows a format of data recorded onto the disk 4 by the diskrecording/reproducing apparatus having the above construction. Thisformat is the same as the CD recording format noted above. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, four data (musical pieces), for instance,have been recorded onto record areas of the disk 4, and non-record areassucceeds the record areas. In FIG. 3 the abscissa represents thedistance of a point on the disk from the inner periphery thereof, i.e.,the distance of the track in the longitudinal direction, and theordinate represents the total time. MN represents the data (musicalpiece) number, P pose time, T_(toc) point of starting the recording ofeach data (musical piece), and T_(last) point of ending the recording.The dashed plot represents the overall recording time, and the solidplot represents the recording time of each data (musical piece).

The procedure of production of a list of recorded data recorded onto thedisk 4 will now be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, in a step A₁, a check is done in the processoraccording to the detection output signal from the terminal 25 as towhether the disk 4 is mounted. If the disk 4 is not mounted, the routinegoes via branch N. In this case, the apparatus is in a stand-by state.If the disk is mounted, the routine goes via branch F to a step A₂.

In the step A₂, the optical pick-up 5 is located at a positioncorresponding to the innermost list area of the disk 4 and startsreproduction of the list area on the disk 4 from this position. At thistime, a check as to whether there is a list having been recorded ontothe disk 4 is done in the processor 22 according to the detection signalof the reproduced RF signal by the RF detector 14 from the terminal 26.If it is found that there is a recorded list due to the RF detectionsignal in case when there is a reproduced RF signal, the routine goesvia branch Y to a step A₁₆. If it is found that there is no recordedlist due to the RF detection signal when there is no reproduced RFsignal, the routine goes via branch N to a step A₃.

In the step A₁₆, the list recorded onto the disk 4 is read out, and thelist information is stored in a time table on the list informationmemory 24. The routine then goes to a next step. In the step A₃, theoptical pick-up 5 continuing the reproduction in the step A₂ jumps thelist area and then reproduces record data. A check as to whether thereis data having been recorded onto the disk 4 is then done in theprocessor 22 according to the RF detection signal from the terminal 26representing the presence or absence of the reproduced RF signal. Ifthere is recorded data, the routine goes via branch Y to the step A₃. Ifno data is recorded, the routine goes via branch N for processing withdisk without record.

In the step A₃, the recorded data is sought within short periods of timeby a method, for instance disclosed in GB-A-No. 2,101,356 filed by thepresent applicant, in which the point of ending the recording ofrecorded data (shown at S_(last) in FIG. 3) with respect to the disk 4in a direction crossing the tracks with relative movement of the opticalpick-up 5. The detection of the point of ending the recording is donewith reference to the detection signal of the reproduced RF signalsupplied to the terminal 26. More specifically, the optical pick-up 5 ismoved relative to the disk 4 to traverse one half of a distance Lbetween the prevailing track scanned by the beam and the outermosttrack. Then, that track is reproduced, and if the reproduced RF signalis found, the optical pick-up is further moved by L/4 toward theoutermost track. If no reproduced RF signal is found, the pick-up ismoved by L/4 toward the innermost track. Then the pertinent track isreproduced, and if the reproduced RF signal is found, the pick-up ismoved by L/8 toward the outermost track. If no reproduced RF signal isfound, the pick-up is moved by L/8 toward the inner periphery. The aboveoperation is repeated N (e.g., N=7) times to traverse a distance ofL/2^(N). If the reproduced RF signal is obtained from the pertinenttrack, the beam of the optical pick-up 5 is steered toward the outermosttrack. If no reproduced RF signal is obtained, the beam is steeredtoward the innermost track. In this way, a small extent tack jump, e.g.,a traverse for 5 tracks, is done repeatedly. When a track with thereproduced RF signal is followed by a track without signal, one track isjumped from that track with signal toward the innermost track. Thisoperation is done repeatedly, and the track with signal followed by atrack without signal is regarded to be the point of ending therecording. When a track without signal if follwed by a track withsignal, one track is jumped from that track without signal toward theoutermost track. This operation is done repeatedly, and the trackwithout signal followed by a track with signal is regarded to be thepoint of ending the recording. When the point of ending the recording isdetected, the routine goes to a step A₅.

In the step A₅, time code data of the recorded data at the point ofending the recording, i.e., data representing the overall recording timeT_(last), last data (musical piece) number MN_(last), and recording timeT_(MNlast) of the last data (musical piece), is read out after jumpingof one track or two tracks from the point of ending the recording towardthe innermost track. In this way, data is reliably read out. The routinethen goes to a step A₆. In the step A₆, the time code data is suppliedthrough the time code reader 23 to the processor 22. Further, a posestate is set up such that the beam of the optical pick-up 5 jumps onetrack or two tracks toward the innermost track when a tack with thereproduced RF signal is followed by a track without any such signal.

In the step A₆, the last data recording time T_(last) is stored in anaddress T_(end) of the time table (FIG. 5) on the memory 24, and thelast data (musical piece) number MN_(last) (in this example MN_(last)=4) is stored in an address MN_(L). The routine then goes to a step A₇.

In the step A₇, the last data (musical piece) recording start timeT_(toc)(last) (in this example, T_(toc)(4)) is calculated in theprocessor 22 as

    T.sub.last - T.sub.MNtoc(Last)

and the result is stored in a corresponding address (in this example,the address of data number MN₄) of the time table. The routine then goesto a step A₈.

In the step A₈, a pointer MNP of the data (musical piece) number to besearched is initialized to MN_(last) (i.e., MNP=MN_(last)), and then theroutine goes to a step A₉.

In the step A₉, 1 is subtracted from MNP, and the pointer is advanced.The routine then goes to a step A₁₀.

In the step A₁₀, a check is done as to whether MNP =0. If it is 0, theroutine goes via branch Y, thus bringing an end to the operation of thetime table production. If not, the routine goes via branch N to a stepA₁₁.

In the step A₁₁, the contents of the data (musical piece) number timetable with the MNP increased by 1, i.e., T_(toc)(MNP+1), is stored in aregister, in which is stored position information for shifting theoptical pick-up 5 toward the inner periphery of the disk 4 (the positionof the register being referred to as T_(S)) The routine then goes to astep A₁₂. The contents of the data (musical piece) number time tablewith the MNP increased by 1 are already known.

In the step A₁₂, an off-set time T₀₁ which is selected by taking theshortest data (musical piece) length or pose time into considerations issubtracted from T_(S), and the resultant value is set as new T_(S). Thatis, a process

    T.sub.S ←(T.sub.S -T.sub.01) is performed. The routine then goes to a step A.sub.13.

In the step A₁₃, the point of T_(S) set in the step A₁₂ is sought. Thatis, the optical pick-up 5 is moved from the position of ending therecording at which it is in the pose after toward inner tracks on thedisk 4 to a point of T_(S) determined in the step A₁₂. This accessing isdone using a method disclosed in GB-A-No. 2,127,176 filed by theapplicant. The routine then goes to a step A₁₄.

In the step A₁₄, a check is done as to whether the data (musical piece)number MNR at the sought point is equal to the pointer MNP determined inthe step A₉. If they are equal to each other, the routine goes viabranch Y to a step A₁₅. If they are not equal, the routine goes viabranch N to a step A₁₇. When the point of Ts is sought from T_(last),for instance, with MNP=MNR in the first loop, the optical pick-up 5enters the area of MN=3 in FIG. 3.

In the step A₁₅, the time code data at the sought point is read, and thetime T_(toc)(MNP) of starting the recording of the pertinent data(musical piece) number MNP is calculated from the overall recording timeT_(A) and recording time T_(MNP) of the data (musical piece) number atthat point. This process is expressed

    T.sub.toc(MNP) ←(T.sub.A -T.sub.MNP)

T_(toc)(MNP) thus obtained is stored in the corresponding address areaof the time table. Thereafter, the routine goes back to the step A₉, andthe operation is repeated.

In the step A₁₇, the data (musical piece) number MNR at the sought pointand pointer MNP are compared with each other. If it is found thatMNP<MNR, that is, if it is determined that the next data (musical piece)number area has not yet been sought, the routine goes via branch Y to astep A₁₈. If MNP>MNR, it is determined that the next data (musicalpiece) number area is traversed, and the routine goes via branch N to astep A₁₉.

In the step A₁₈, an off-set time T₀₂ is added to T_(S) showing the pointto be sought to determine new T_(S). This operation is expressed as

    T.sub.S ←(T.sub.S =T.sub.02)

Here, T₀₂ <T₀₁. Then, the routine goes back to the step A₁₃.

In the step A₁₉, the off-set time T₀₂ is subtracted from T_(S) showingthe point to be sought to determine new T_(S). This operation isexpressed as

    T.sub.S ←(T.sub.S -T.sub.02)

Then, the routine goes back to the step A₁₃.

The sequence of operations in the above steps is performed in thecontrol operation processor 22.

In the above process, a time table with list information is provided inthe memory 24. In this instance, the time table is as shown in FIG. 5.In FIG. 5, MN represents the data (musical piece) number, and MN_(S)represents the first data (musical piece) number.

In the above list preparation procedure, the point of ending therecording of recorded data on the disk 4 is detected, the point ofstarting the recording of that data (musical piece) is sought, and thenthe immediately preceding data area is sought, whereby the point ofstarting the recording of that data (musical piece) is obtained. In thisway, the time table (list) of the recorded data can be produced withinshort periods of time in the memory 24.

With the non-erasable postscript type optical disk 4, it has beenimpossible to record a list in a list area of the disk 4 unless all datahas been recorded. In the above list preparation procedure, on the otherhand, it is possible to produce a list within short periods of timeunder control of the system controller 1, and it is possible to accessthe recorded data on the disk 4 with reference to list information readout from the memory 24.

In the mean time, the recorded data can be read out even during theprocess of searching the point of ending the recording in the step A₄ ofthe list preparation routine described above, and it is possible toreduce the number of cycles of the subsequent time-consuming seekingoperation by obtaining the point of starting the recording of therecorded data read out at that time and storing it in the pertinent timetable address. In this way, it is possible to reduce the listpreparation time.

Further, the recorded data may be read out even during the seekingoperation in the step A₁₃, and if the read-out data (musical piece)number coincides with the pointer MNP even before perfect reaching ofthe point T_(S), the seeking operation may be ended by obtaining thepoint of starting the recording of data shown by the pointer MNP.Further, even in case when the read-out data (musical piece) number isnot coincident with the pointer MNP, unless there is no pertinent timetable, the process time can be reduced by storing the obtained point ofstarting the recording of the data (musical piece) number in the timetable.

When additionally recording new data onto the disk 4 after preparationof the time table, a new time table may be added to the memory 24.

Further, when recording a list in a list area of the disk 4 after end ofrecording of data on the disk 4, list information is read out from thetime table on the memory 24, and the list is recorded onto the disk 4 ina predetermined formula as shown, for instance, in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, MNrepresents the data (musical piece) number, MN_(S) the first data(musical piece) number and MN₁ the last data (musical piece) number.

Now, the operation of recording data onto the disk 4 in the diskrecording/reproducing apparatus will be described.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the inner construction of the encoder9. Referring to FIG. 7, data provided from the interface 8 is suppliedto an input data interface 31 through a terminal 32, and time code datais supplied from the time code generator 11 through a terminal 34. Theinterface 31 temporarily stores the input data and also performsexchange of time code data and recorded data. The output of theinterface 31 is supplied to a pattern converter 34 for converting datainto a predetermined pattern suited for recording. The output of theconverter 34 is processed in a parallel-to-serial converter/modulator35, which performs parallel-to-serial conversion and modulation of data,and the output of which is supplied to the modulator 12 through aterminal 36. The output of a reference signal oscillator 37, whichgenerates a master clock for determining the operation of each block, issupplied to a timing signal generator 38 and a sync signal generator 39.To the sync signal generator 39 are fed a reproduction sync signal (C inFIG. 8) from the decoder 10 through a terminal 40 and a synchronizationpermission signal (D in FIG. 8) from the system controller 1 through aterminal 41. To the sync signal generator 39 is further supplied througha terminal 42 a sync off-set signal for compensating for a delay timefrom an instant of the reading of recorded data [D_(a) ] (See A in FIG.8) on the disk 4 by the optical pick-up 5 till the establishment of thereproduced decode signal (B in FIG. 8) of the decoder 10. The syncsignal generator 39 also performs compensation for the time delay in thedata processing in the encoder 9. An encoder sync signal (E in FIG. 8)from the sync signal generator 39 is obtained through a terminal 43 andsupplied to the time code generator 11 and other components. An encoderoutput on-timing signal (F in FIG. 8) obtained through a terminal 44 issupplied to the system controller 1. The output of the signal generator39 is supplied to the timing signal generator 38 for generating varioustiming signals for internal operations. The signal generator 38 suppliestiming signals thereof to the interface 31, converter 34 andparallel-to-serial converter/modulator 35 respectively. The sync signalfrom the sync signal generator 39 is also supplied to the patternconverter 34 for insertion of a sync pattern of data.

In the recording of data onto the disk 4, a check is first done by thesystem controller 1 as to whether there is data recorded onto the disk4, on which to record the data. If the disk 4 is a non-recorded one, theoptical pick-up 5 is moved to the first data recording area (on theinner periphery side) to start the recording of data under control ofthe timing signal from the encoder 9.

If data is recorded in all the recording areas of the disk 4, therecoridng operation is stopped.

If there is remaining recording areas so that additional recording ofnew data is possible although some data has been recorded (see FIG. 8),the additional recording of new data is done based on the followingprocedure.

The operation of the additional recording will be explained withreference to the time chart shown in FIG. 8.

First, the optical pick-up 5 is moved to the point of ending therecording of the recorded data, and the time code of the last recordframe is read out to be stored under control of the system controller 1.

Then, the optical pick-up 5 is retracted toward the inner periphery ofthe disk by a number of frames necessary to ensure sufficientsynchronization at the time of the additional recording (for instance,one track).

Then, an "on" synchronization permission signal as shown in D in FIG. 8is provided to synchronize the encoder 9 to the reproduced sync signal(C in FIG. 8) from the decoder 10. This synchronization permissionsignal is supplied from the system controller 1 to the encoder 9. Withthis synchronization permission signal, the reproduced sync signal issynchronized to the internal operation timing of the encoder 9, and theencoder sync signal (E in FIG. 8) is synchronized to the reproduced syncsignal. At the same time, the delay time d is compensated for accordingto the sync off-set signal. As a result, the encoder sync signal asshown in E in FIG. 8 is provided, which is synchronized to thereproduced sync signal from the point P₁ and is compensated for thedelay time d.

Further, an encoder output on-timing signal in which the delay time inthe signal processing in the encoder 9 has been compensated as shown inF in FIG. 8 is supplied from the encoder 9 to the system controller 1.

Further, the system controller 1, which is reading the time code data ofthe reproduced decoder signal (B in FIG. 8), executes a check, at theinstant when time code data one frame before the time code data of theend-of-recording frame (point P₁ in C in FIG. 8), as to whether it ispossible to record the data onto the disk 4.

If the system controller 1 judges at this time that the recording ispossible, it starts recording operation (i.e., send out a commandsignal) with reference to the time code data from the decoder signalaccording to the timing signal from the encoder 9 (F, G in FIG. 8).

At this time, an encoder output "on" signal as shown in G in FIG. 8 isprovided from the encoder 9 to the system controller 1. Also, a recordsignal (H in FIG. 8) is provided as the encoder output. Thus, therecording of data onto the disk 4 is started. The record signal isprovided with a delay corresponding to the delay time in the encoder 9as shown in H in FIG. 8.

Thus, the record signal is synchronized such that it is continuous withrespect to data already recorded onto the disk 4. Thus, new record data[D_(b) ] is recorded without any blank but right after the recorded data[D_(a) ] as shown in A in FIG. 8.

As has been shown, in the disk recording/reproducing apparatus, theencoder 9 is synchronized to the reproduction sync signal of the decoder10 and is also compensated for the delay time in the signal procebssingin the decoder 10 and encoder 9, thereby providing the encoder output"on" timing signal. Thus, it is possible to permit stable and continuousrecording of the new record data [D_(b) ] immediately after the alreadyrecorded data [D_(a) ].

Therefore, there is no possibility of drop-out of data due to duplicaterecording or non-continuous recording at the time of additionalrecording. In this way, it is possible to eliminate generation of errorat the time of the reproduction and obtain highly dense recording.

Now, a description will be made of the operation of producing time codedata of new record data continuous to time code data of recorded datawhen additionally recording the new record data together with the timecode data immediately after the recorded data on the disk 4 with thedisk recording/reproducing apparatus.

First, the inner construction of the time code data generator 11 forgenerating the time code data will be described with reference to theblock diagram of FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 9, time code initial value preset data which is newtime code setting data and operation command signals such as start andstop commands are supplied from the system controller 1 to a time codegeneration controller 46. To the system controller 1 are supplied keyoperation input signals obtained by operations of a start key, a stopkey, a data (musical piece) number change key and an index key. Thepreset data consists of data (musical piece) number (TNO), overallrecording time (TIME) of the data (musical piece) number and overallrecording time (ATIME) from the point of starting the recording of dataonto the disk.

To the controller 46 are connected first to third time code system codeoutput registers 47 to 49, in which the time code data is temporarilystored. The registers 47 to 49 respectively store the data (musicalpiece) number (TNO), recording time (TIME) of the data (musical piece)number and overall recording time (ATIME). The data from the registers47 to 49 are processed in an arithmetic operator 50 which is controlledfor operation by an operation control signal from the controller 46. Thedata from the registers 47 to 49 are fetched in a parallel-to-serialconverter/shift register 51, to which a sub-code sync signal is suppliedas load signal from the encoder 9. With a frame sync signal supplied asshift clock from the encoder 9 to the shift register 51, time code datais supplied as serial data from the shift register 51 to the encoder 9.A control signal from the controller 46 is supplied to the shiftregister 51, and the sub-code sync signal is supplied to the controller46.

Now, the explanation of the operation of recording the time code of thenew record data will be described with reference to the flow chart ofFIG. 10.

The system controller 1 causes the time code reader 23 to fetch timecode data (TNOe, TIMEe, ATIMEe) at the point of ending the recording ofthe recorded data. Here, TNOe represents the data (musical piece) numberat the point of ending the recording, TIMEe represents the recordingtime of the data (musical piece) number at the point of ending therecording and ATIMEe represents the overall recording time at the pointof ending the recording. The control operation processor 22 in thesystem controller 1 produces the preset data from the time code data(TNOe, TIMEe and ATIMEe) as follows.

First, in case of additional recording by varying the data (musicalpiece) number (TNO), data (musical piece) number (TNO) of the presetdata is set to TNOe+1. This operation is expressed as

    TNO←TNOe+1

The recording time (TIME) of the data (musical piece) number at thistime is set to zero, that is,

    TIME←0

The overall recording time (ATIME) at this time is set to ATIMEe+1, thatis,

    ATIME←ATIMEe+1

In case of additional recording without variation of the data (musicalpiece) number (TNO), the preset data are set as

    TNO←TNOe

    TIME←TIMEe+1

    ATIME←ATIMEe+1

In case when recording is done onto the disk 4 without recorded data atall, the preset data are set as

    TNO←1

    TIME←0

    ATIME←0

The preset data as shown are supplied to the time code generationcontroller 46 of the time code generator 11 of the system controller 1.

Then, in a step B₁ in FIG. 10, the controller 46 effects a check as towhether the preset data have been fed. If they have not been fed, theroutine goes via branch N, bringing about the stand-by state. If thedata have been fed, the routine goes through branch Y to a step B₂.

In the step B₂. the preset data (TNO, TIME and ATIME) fed to thecontroller 46 are set in the respective registers 47 to 49. The routinethen goes to a step B₃.

In the step B₃, the controller 46 executes a check as to whether a startcommand signal has been fed by the controller 19 of the systemcontroller 1. If the signal has not been fed, the routine goes viabranch N to a step B₄. If the signal has been fed, the routine goes viabranch Y to a step B₅.

In the step B₄, a check is done as to whether a stop/start commandsignal from the system controller 1 has been fed. If the signal has notbeen fed, the routine goes back to the step B₃. If the signal has beenfed, the routine goes back to the step B₁.

In the step B₅, the controller 46 executes check as to whether asub-code sync signal has been fed from the encoder 9 to the shiftregister 51. If the signal has not been fed, the routine goes via branchN, thus bringing about the stand-by state. If the signal has been fed,the routine goes via branch Y to a step B₆.

In the step B₆, the preset data (TNO, TIME and ATIME) loaded in theshift register 51 according to the sub-code sync signal is supplied astime code data suited to the time code recording format to the encoder 9at the timing of the frame sync signal from the encoder 9. This timecode data is recorded together with new record data additionallyrecorded immediately after the recorded data onto the disk 4 as timecode data continuous to the time code data of the recorded data.Subsequently, the routine goes to a step B₇.

In the step B₇, a check is done as to whether an updating command signalfor updating the data (musical piece) number (TNO) has been fed from thesystem controller 1 to the controller 46. If the signal has been fed,the routine goes via branch Y to a step B₈. If the signal has not beenfed, the routine goes via branch N to a step B₉.

In the step B₈, the data in the registers 47 and 49 are fetched in thearithmetic operator 50 for operations of TNO+1 and ATIME+1, and new TNOand ATIME data are set in the registers 47 and 49. At this time, thedata (TIME) is set to zero, and this data is set in the register 48 bythe controller 46. The above operations are expressed as

    TNO←TNO

    TIME←0

    ATIME←ATIME+1

The routine subsequently goes to a step B₁₀.

In the step B₉, the arithmetic operator performs operations like thestep B₈ noted above, and new data TIME and ATIME are set in theregisters 47 and 49. At this time, the contents of the TNO data areunchanged. The operations are expressed as

    TIME←TIME+1

    ATIME←ATIME+1

In the step B₁₀, the controller 46 executes a check as to whether a stopcommand signal has been fed from the system controller 1 to thecontroller 46. If the signal has not been fed, the routine goes back viabranch N to the step B₅. If the signal has been fed, the routine goesvia branch Y, thus bringing an end to the time code data outputoperation.

The arithmetic operator 50 also performs arithmetic operations on timecode data in the pose time.

As has been shown, with the disk recording/reproducing apparatus at thetime of additionally recording new record data immediately afterrecorded data it is possible to produce time code data suited to a timerecord format which is the same format as with the CD and effectadditional recording of the new record data while maintaining thecontinuity of the data with the time code.

Thus, with the disk recording/reproducing apparatus capable ofadditional recording it is possible to record data in a plurality ofrecording operations on a single disk 4 and edit the source side data atthe time of the recording. Further, since the time code data of the newrecording data is suited to the time code recording format, it ispossible to readily access data when reproducing the recorded data fromthe disk 4.

After new record data has been additionally recorded immediately afterthe recorded data while maintaining the continuity of the time codedata, a list of recorded data is produced in the list preparationprocedure as described above, and the obtained list information isstored in the time table shown in FIG. 5. In this way, the time tablecan be changed. Further, after all data has been additionally recordedonto the disk 4, the contents of the time table can be modulated into apredetermined digital signal, and the list of information can berecorded in a list area of the disk 4.

We claim:
 1. In an optical disk recording/reproducing apparatus havingmeans for seeking to a predetermined position on a postscript typeoptical disk, means for reading recorded data from said disk at saidpredetermined position, said recorded data comprising at least the datanumber of a datum recorded on said disk, and means for manifesting timecode data corresponding to said predetermined position,a method ofrecording a time table, in a memory of said optical diskrecording/reproducing apparatus, said time table composed of a list ofrecorded data stored on said optical disk, comprising the steps of:detecting a predetermined position on said optical disk corresponding tothe ending position of all data recorded on said disk; reading time codedata corresponding to said ending position; calculating the startingtime of the last recorded datum on said disk by subtracting therecording duration time of said last recorded data from the time codedata corresponding to the said ending position; storing said calculatedtime value in said time table at a position corresponding to the saiddata number of the last recorded datum on said disk; initializing apointer with a value derived from said data number; reading out thestarting time of the data number represented by said pointer from saidtime table; storing, in a register, a value equal to said calculatedtime value reduced by a predetermined offset; seeking the predeterminedlocation on said disk corresponding to said value stored in saidregister; effecting compensation for the said value stored in saidregister when the data number of a datum recorded on said optical diskat the position corresponding to said stored value does not correspondwith the value of said pointer, so as to obtain a stored valuecorresponding to the position of starting of the recorded datum on saidoptical disk corresponding to said pointer; storing said stored value insaid time table at a location corresponding to the data numberrepresented by the value of said pointer when the data number coincideswith the pointer; and repeating said seeking operation to obtain thestarting time point for each datum recorded on said optical disk so asto complete said list with starting times for all data recorded on saidoptical disk; and recording said list in a list area of said opticaldisk.